The discussion revolves around issues with installing Netscape to view Java2 applets while Internet Explorer (IE) is functioning properly. The user is unable to access the internet with Netscape, raising concerns about potential restrictions from IE, which is criticized as being problematic. The conversation highlights that while Firefox works well, it does not support Java2 applets, which is the primary reason for needing Netscape. There is a consensus that Java is backward compatible, allowing Java 2 applets to run in browsers that support them, but IE does not support Java technology due to Microsoft's preference for ActiveX. Netscape 5.0 and later versions are noted as capable of supporting Java 2 applets, while the discussion also touches on the broader context of the "browser war" and the limitations imposed by IE on Java functionality. The technical distinction between J2SE and J2SDK is clarified, emphasizing that the SDK provides libraries but not the browser plugin necessary for applet execution.